Argentan

Argentan lies on the Orne in southern Normandy. Its castle, churches and lace-making tradition speak to the town's long history as both a place of lordship and a centre of skilled work. During the Hundred Years' War, its position exposed it repeatedly to fighting between the French and English crowns.

In 1356 English troops plundered Argentan and burned its castle. The viscounty passed to Pierre II, Count of Alençon, in 1372. Centuries later, Argentan shared in the French crown's efforts to establish a domestic luxury lace industry: a bureau for the production of point de France was set up here in 1665, as at nearby Alençon. Argentan needle lace went on to find wealthy and influential patrons at the French royal court itself.